# Brakes fixed ... and then tail lights went out **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [March 26, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288 "2013-03-26T22:50:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frentic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/46a35a/32.png) [@Frentic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frentic)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/1 "2013-03-26T22:50:17Z")
My boyfriend recently took his brakes in to be fixed, and within the week his tail lights went out. The timing seems a little to coincidental to me … is there ANY chance that the shop might have done something to impact the tail lights? They want another $600+ for the fix … Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/2 "2013-03-27T01:38:03Z")
Not likely. What did they say the $600 was for? Tail lights are energized by a spring loaded pushbutton mounted upside down above the brake lever, that is open when the lever is pushing it and closed (energizing the circuit) when the brake pedal is pushed. If we knew what kind of car your BF has we could suggest whether the price is reasonable or not. A BMW will cost much more than a Civic. A Porsche even more. By the way, has BF checked the bulbs? ---
**Author:** ![Frentic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/46a35a/32.png) [@Frentic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frentic)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/3 "2013-03-27T01:52:38Z")
He’s got a 2000 Jeep Cherokee (or Grand Cherokee). We didn’t check the bulbs before we dropped it off at the hostage takers. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/4 "2013-03-27T01:53:47Z")
You must have SOME idea what they quoted him $600 to do??? ---
**Author:** ![Frentic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/46a35a/32.png) [@Frentic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frentic)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 1:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/5 "2013-03-27T01:57:57Z")
Also, the explanation: Moisture has been getting into the lights and causing the system to fail. thanks in part to his cracked tail light casing. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/6 "2013-03-27T02:12:37Z")
Grand Cherokee tail light housings often warp at the bulb socket mount. This will result in an open circuit between the socket and housing contacts. Check Ebay for replacement tail lamp assemblies, much less expensive. > **[Taillights Taillamps Brake Lights Left & Right Pair Set for 99-03 Grand Cherokee...](http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-03-Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Rear-Taillights-Taillamps-Brake-Lights-Lamps-Pair-Set-/130588040914?_trksid=p2042998.m1253&fits=Year:2000%7CMake:Jeep%7CModel:Grand%20Cherokee)** > > This item is backed by a 10 Year Warranty. In order to keep our prices low, we have the following purchasing policies 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Tail Light (Built Before 11/02 Production Date). 1999-02 Jeep Grand Cherokee Tail Light. | eBay! ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/7 "2013-03-27T02:15:08Z")
Aha!’ Corrosion! If he’s handy and willing, he could save himself hundreds of dollars. [http://www.go-part.com/jeep-liberty-tail-lights-28\_468.html?utm\_source=bing&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_term=2000%20jeep%20cherokee%20taillight%20modules&utm\_content=12968392759](http://www.go-part.com/jeep-liberty-tail-lights-28_468.html?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=2000%20jeep%20cherokee%20taillight%20modules&utm_content=12968392759) If he can splice wires he might even be able to save himself more. ---
**Author:** ![Frentic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/46a35a/32.png) [@Frentic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frentic)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/8 "2013-03-27T02:35:46Z")
He isn’t handy at all, but I really appreciate all the feedback and advice! ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/9 "2013-03-27T02:43:14Z")
The tail lamps are easy to replace. Remove the two screws (under plastic caps) located at the inside edge of each lamp. Pull the tail lamp away from the body, there are ball and socket pins holding the outside edge. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 6:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/10 "2013-03-27T06:58:25Z")
For some reason The Same Mountainbike was describing the brake light operation, not the tail lights. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 7:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/11 "2013-03-27T07:20:03Z")
By “tail light” do you mean the tail lights that are on all the time when the headlights are on? Or just the brake tail lights, when you press on the brake? I’m assuming you mean the brake tail lights. $600 seems a little steep to replace a simple contact switch at the brake pedal. But is the tail light switch on this vehicle part of the brake pedal ass’y, or is it hydraulic activated, part of the brake master cylinder? If the latter, that would be more expensive to fix and it might well prove close to $600 parts and labor. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/12 "2013-03-27T19:53:28Z")
Oldtimer, you are correct…I had a synapse breakdown. I get more of these lately. Time to retire. Thanks for the correction. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/13 "2013-03-28T01:02:07Z")
I have never heard anyone call brake lights “brake tail lights” . Is it a regionalism? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/14 "2013-03-28T01:25:47Z")
Naw. Just a simple screwup. It won’t keep anybody out of the golden gates. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/15 "2013-03-28T07:36:53Z")
To the same mountain bike, my comment about brake tail lights was a question for GeorgeSan Jose. As for the brain fade, blame it on taking statin drugs, thats what I do. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/brakes-fixed-and-then-tail-lights-went-out/78288/16 "2013-03-28T20:10:11Z")
“Some pills make you happy, and some pills make you small, and the ones your mother gives you, don’t do anything at all.” I just blame it on old age.